419 scam: martins colins <martinscolins3@gmail.com> PLEASE I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- martinscolins5@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: martins colins <martinscolins3@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 22:46:15 +0100
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

--

*From .Martins CollinsBranch Manager Zenith Bank of (UK)LimitedTransfer of
inheritance funds.Do accept my sincere apology if my mail does not meet
your personal ethics, I am the Branch Manager of the above mentioned bank.
There is an escrow account in my bank holding a balance of US$12,850.000.00
(Twelve Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars )The
depositor of these funds Mr.Kurt Kahle died in July, 2000 read through the
link below.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stmSince then
nobody has come up for claims and we are not aware of any of Mr. Kurt
Kahles surviving family member. As a result I am asking for your sincere
co-operation to wire the money into a beneficiary's account overseas, I do
not want this money to go into the bank treasury as unclaimed bill which
forms my intention of writing to you, you will be standing in legally as
the next of kin/ beneficiary of these funds hence we procure the necessary
legal paperwork in your name to enable you stand for the claim. The funds
will be wired by Telegraphic Transfer to your private bank account
immediately we ratify the paperwork in your name.Considering my position in
the bank, this transaction is totally risk free as the funds are legitimate
and does not originate from drug, money laundering, terrorism or any other
illegal act. Immediately I receive your response, I will advise you
subsequently for the immediate commencement of the transfer of these funds
to your bank account. On completion of the transfer we will share
60-40please contact me here on my email (martinscolins5@yahoo.com)Best
regards,Mr.Martins Collins*

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